Mail-bag fastener



June 24, 1924. 1,498,699

' B. L. SMITH M'AIL BAG FASTENER Filed Dec. 1. 1923 Patente June 24, 1924i,Y

BERTRAND I...` SMITH,

MAIL-BAG Application filed December T0 @ZZ whom t may concern:

yBe it known that I, BERTRAND L. SMITH', a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Fasteners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. j

This invention relates to certain improvements in mail bag fasteners andl it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character comprising two members joined together to open and close and provided with means for gripping a cord together with means carried by both of said members for locking the same in closed or gripping position and thereby avoiding the useofa separate locking device as is now generally employed.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character comprising two members joined together to open and close and provided with means foi gripping a cord and wherein both of said members are provided with coacting means operating automatically to lock or hold the members in closed or gripping position.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved mail bag fastener'whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that myinvention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating a mail bag fastener constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; with the members in locking position; Y

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the structure as illustrated in Figure 1 with the cord in elevation;

Figure 3 is a view in top plan of the device as herein disclosed with the hasp or lever in open position;

tially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a key `for use in connection with the device as herein disclosed. Y

'As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, my improved fastener comprises a base or plate 1 of desired length and which is provided Valong its longitudinal margins withv the inturned flanges 2 whereby said base or plate 1 serves as a holder for a destination slip or the like.` One end portion of the base or plate 1 is provided with a keeper 3 through which the tie cord fis adapted to Vbe threaded in a Well-known manner.

Securedto the opposite ,end portionof the base or plate lis the plate 4 provided with a pair of transverselyV spaced ears 5 between whichis pivotally engaged, as at 6, an'end portion of a cord hasp or lever7" provided adjacent to its hinged portion with the projection 8 to facilitate the clamping action of the haspy or lever upon the cord.

To further facilitate this action the plate 4 is provided with a pair of longitudinally j spaced and transversely disposed ribs 9 between which the projection 8 has clamping action upon the cord. To further facilitate this locking action the outer end of the plate 41 is provided with an upstanding flange l0. I

Thehasp or lever 7 constitutes a housing or casing having its inner wall provide-d with an opening 11 through which is adapted to extend a shank 12 carried by the base or plate 1 when the hasp or lever 7 is moved toward said base or plate 1 to have clamping action upon the cord.

Carried by the outer wall of the'hasp or lever 7 and disposed within the housing is'V a spring latch 14C which is adapted to engage a laterally disposed lug orY shoulder 15 carried by the outer end of the shank 12 whereby the hasp or lever 7 and the base or plate 1 are locked against relative separating movement and with the cord firmly clamped therebetween.

A side wall of the hasp or lever 7 is provided With an opening 16 through which is adapted to be inserted a blade key 17 or the like whereupon upon proper rotation of such key the spring latch 14 will be moved out of engagement with the shoulder or lug 15 to permit relative separating movement between the base or plate l and the/hasp or lever 7 in order to free'or disengage the cord.

FromA the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a mail bag fastener constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for usezV by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my in.- vention is susceptible of some change and modification. without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this'l reasonv I: do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in. carrying out my invention in practice eXcept as hereinafter claimed.

I cla-im v l.` A mail bag fastener comprising two members connected for relative movement into. open and closed position, said members being provided with means to clamp a cord therebetween, one of said members constituting a housing providedV with an opening` in a wall thereof, a spring latch arranged within saidV housing, and a shank carried by thev second member and passing within the housing through the opening inthe wall thereof when said members are in closed position, saidv shank being provided with a shoulder withwhiclr the latch engages to hold said members in closedV position.

2. A mail bag fastener comprising two members connected for relative movement into open and closed position, said members being provided with means to clamp a cord therebetween, one of said members constituting a housing providedv with an opening in a walll thereof, a spring latch arranged.'

within saidy housing, a shank carried by vthe second memberand passing within thehousingthrough the opening in the walll thereof when said members are in closed position,

said shank being provided with a shoulder with which the latch engages to hold said f members in closed position, and means for disengaging the latch from the shoulder to permit relative opening movement of the members.

3. A mail bag fastener comprising two members connected for relative movement into open and closed position, said members being providedy with means to clamp a cord therebetween, one of said members constitutinga housing provided with an opening in a wallr thereof, a spring latch arranged withiny said housing,l andy a shank carried by the, second member and passing within the housing through the opening inthe wall thereof when said members are in closed positiony said shank being provided with a shoulder with which the latch engages to hold said members in closed position, said latch being carried by the wall of the housingopposed to the wall provided with the opening.

4. A mail bagl fastener. comprising two membersv connected for relative movement into open and closed' position, said members being providedl with means to clamp a cord therebetween, one of said' members constituting a housingprovided` with an. opening in a wall thereof,`v a spring latch. arranged within saidho'using, and a shank carried by the second member and vpassing within the housing through'ther opening in the wall thereof! when said membersV are in closed position, said sliankibeing provided with a shoulder with which the latch engages to hold said members in closed. position, said shoulder of theshank being disposed laterally of said shankl In testimony whereof I" hereunto affix my signature.A

BERTRAND L. sMrTn. 

